10 great places to camp near Colorado’s National Parks
Campgrounds at National Parks in Colorado tend to fill up quickly, so it’s always best to book your trip sooner than later. Here are a few great options for places to spend the night for cheap near Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Rocky Mountain National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Author’s Note: It’s highly recommended to make reservations for campsites around Colorado. Reservations are required at State Parks and in some other areas around the state.
Piñon Flats Campground (Photo) Credit Patrick Myers, National Park Service
1. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Piñon Flats Campground is located in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. Reservations are required to stay at one of the 86 campsites. Pinon pines and sagebrush surround the campsites at the edge of the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Most sites have beautiful views of the surrounding peaks.
Open seasonally in April through September.
Photo Credit: Patrick Myers, National Park Service.
Zapata Falls Campground (Photo) Credit yoderphoto
2. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (cont.)
Zapata Falls Campground rests at the base of the Sangre de Cristo mountains at about 9,000 feet above sea level. Sweeping views of the mountains and the San Luis Valley promise spectacular sunrises, sunsets and night skies. Campers will find 23 first-come, first-serve sites at $11 per night.
Open year-round.
Photo Credit: yoderphoto, OutThere Colorado.
Grand Lake Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park (Photo) Credit daveynin (flickr)
3. Rocky Mountain National Park
Winding River Resort suffered damage from the East Troublesome fire in 2020, but the campground, ranch, and the resort plans to reopen for the summer of 2021. This campground is located just west of Rocky Mountain National Park in Grand Lake (pictured), offering recreational vehicle hookups, tent sites, showers, and a full ranch complete with horses, pigs, and goats, making this a great stop for the family.
Open seasonally Memorial Day to September 30.
Photo Credit: daveynin (flickr).
Estes Park, Colorado (Photo) Credit benedek (iStock)
4. Rocky Mountain National Park (cont.)
A great option for camping on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park is The Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake. This developed campground is located just three miles from downtown and less than eight miles from the National Park’s entrance, featuring 128 sites for tents and recreational vehicles. Sites are complete with campfire rings, picnic tables, food storage lockers at tent sites, and more.
Open mid-May to late September.
Photo Credit: benedek (iStock).
East Portal Estes Park (Photo) Credit Mark Collins (flickr)
5. Rocky Mountain National Park (cont.)
A campground closer to the park’s boundaries on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park is Estes Park Campground at East Portal. This campground offers shady sites for pitching a tent or parking the camper. The campground at East Portal is perfect for campers looking to escape the busy roads and the more crowded side of the park.
Open mid-May to late September.
Photo Credit: Mark Collins (flickr).
Mancos State Park (Photo) Credit McGhiever (Wikimedia Commons)
6. Mesa Verde National Park
Skip the crowds by camping at Mancos State Park, an approx. 20-mintue drive from the gates of Mesa Verde National Park. The state park features two campgrounds consisting of a combined 32 campsites. All sites have views of Jackson Reservoir, campfire rings, and picnic tables.
Author’s Note: Reservations are required for camping in all State Parks in Colorado.
Some sites in the Main Campground are open year-round while remaining sites and all of West campground close during winter months.
Photo Credit: McGhiever (Wikimedia Commons).
Mesa Verde National Park - Wetherill Mesa (Photo) Credit scgerding (iStock)
7. Mesa Verde National Park (cont.)
About a 15-minute drive to Mesa Verde National Park, Target Tree Campground is located 7 miles east of Mancos at an elevation of 7,643 feet. This campground is ideal for day trips to Mancos, Durango and Mesa Verde National Park (pictured).
Open seasonally from late May to late September.
Photo Credit: scgerding (iStock).
Mesa Verde National Park (Photo) Credit National Park Service
8. Mesa Verde National Park (cont.)
Experience rustic luxury at the Ancient Cedars Mesa Verde RV Park. The campground is directly across from Mesa Verde National Park (pictured). Recreational vehicle lots are available and tent camping sites feature fire rings, grills and picnic tables.
Open seasonally March to October.
Photo Credit: Mesa Verde National Park.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison (Photo) Credit tonda (iStock)
9. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Cimarron Campground is about a 20-mintue drive from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (pictured) and 20 miles east of Montrose. This campground is great for all types of camping from tent to large recreational vehicles at the 21 sites. Historic railroad exhibits are next to the campground and Crystal Reservoir is about 1.5 miles away.
Open seasonally May to mid-October.
Photo Credit: tonda (iStock).
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park cont. (Photo) Credit: Mobilus In Mobili (Flickr)
10. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Park the RV, pitch a tent creekside, or choose from the various glamping options like the Safari Tent, cabin, or Winnebago at Cedar Creek RV Park, just 15 minutes from Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (pictured).
Credit: Mobilus In Mobili (Flickr)
Aspen Campground (Photo) Credit Tony Webster (flickr)
Leave No Trace
While enjoying the beauty of Colorado's mountains and natural settings, play a part in protecting it. Become familiar with the seven Leave No Trace principles to learn how to minimize the human impact in the wilderness.
Be sure to check with all local fire bans and restrictions of the area you're setting up camp. Remember, fireworks are illegal in Colorado.
Photo Credit: Tony Webster (flickr).
Camping Road Trip Map Credit: @2021 Google Maps
Looking for more camping and adventuring ideas?
Check out the ultimate camping road trip throughout Colorado or these 16 out-of-state National Parks within driving distance of Denver.
Map Credit: @2021 Google Maps.
Leslie James
Leslie James is all about Colorado when it comes to writing features, sharing adventures, and creating colorful galleries. She loves camping, hiking, mountain biking and snowboarding. Leslie joined OutThere Colorado in November 2020.
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